PREMIER Jay Weatherill has conceded an embarrassing public spat between two of his MPs is “destructive”, as Labor considers expelling John Gazzola from Caucus.

“Obviously John Gazzola is very disappointed about no longer being president (of the Upper House) and he’s chosen the most destructive way of expressing himself,” Mr Weatherill said today.

“I think it’s pretty sad actually.

“I expect everyone to get on with the job of actually representing the people of South Australia and not indulge themselves in these personal attacks over what is essentially about who gets what job in the Parliament.”

Mr Weatherill said disciplinary measures were “a matter for the party”, but Mr Gazzola’s outburst was “utterly unacceptable”.

“I certainly am not prepared to tolerate it,” he said.

Mr Gazzola used his address-in-reply to Governor Kevin Scarce’s speech at the opening of Parliament yesterday to blast his colleague, who replaced Mr Gazzola as Upper House president in a factional deal.

With Mr Wortley now sitting in the president’s chair, Mr Gazzola branded his factional rival “an embarrassment to the Labor movement”.

“Sir, normally I would congratulate you on becoming the president of the Legislative Council. Given the circumstances and by the mere fact that you became the president through a secret factional deal, it is difficult for me to wish you well,” Mr Gazzola said.

“I have been asked by members to assist you and advise you in your new role. Over time, I have formed my own view that you are a parasite and an embarrassment to the Labor movement. The final advice, given your record as a minister, would be that you should resign as president of the Legislative Council.”

Mr Weatherill today said Mr Gazzola must abide by the judgment of his colleagues.

Senior Labor figures late yesterday began discussing possible sanctions against Mr Gazzola, including possible expulsion from the party.

However, it now appears more likely he may be sanctioned with a temporary expulsion from Labor Caucus. Party rules explicitly ban MPs from acts of disloyalty or public disparagement of colleagues.

A formal complaint must be made to party officials before action is taken. It is understood a special meeting of Caucus would then be required to officially sanction Mr Gazzola.

Possible punishments include a temporary or permanent suspension from attending Caucus meetings.

Mr Gazzola has four years to run on his Upper House term and will draw an annual salary of at least $150,000.

Earlier today, Mr Wortley briefly broke his silence over the attack.

When approached for comment at his Prospect house at 7.30am, Mr Wortley said: “I’ve got to rise above all of that. I’ve done what I’ve had to do in the past.”

He then said he had to go and have a shower, and shut the door.

Last night’s unprecedented attack, made soon after 5pm, stunned rival and crossbench MPs.

Referencing the infamous pizza dinner in Port Pirie, where Mr Weatherill won Mr Brock’s support for a Labor minority government, Mr Gazzola said: “In my situation there was no consultation, no discussion, no negotiation and no ham and pineapple pizza.”

Mr Gazzola said the Right had gained such dominance over the party machine that it had effective control of the entire State Government. “Let there be no doubt that the Jay Weatherill minority government is united,” he said.

“The Right’s dominance over policy and positions and a substantially weakened, almost to the point of irrelevant progressive Left, gives the Right almost free rein over the government’s agenda. I commend the motion to you.”

Legislative Council members told The Advertiser that prior to his speech, Mr Gazzola sat calmly in his seat in parliament before speaking in a mostly even tone.

He left parliament a few minutes later before sitting wrapped up for the day. Mr Wortley and the Premier’s office declined to comment.

Opposition spokesman Rob Lucas said there was no stability in a government that was “at one another’s throats”.

“This snapshot of the factional hostility at the heart of Labor Government undermines Independent Minister Geoff Brock’s reasoning for supporting the Weatherill Government,” Mr Lucas said.

Excerpts from John Gazzola’s speech

Sir, normally I would congratulate you on becoming the President of the Legislative Council. Given the circumstances and by the mere fact that you became the President through a secret factional deal it is difficult for me to wish you well in your role. I have been asked by members to assist you and advise you in your new role. The only advice I will be offering you in public is that you stand up for the independence and sovereignty of the Legislative Council.

I also look forward to your response in this place to the Hon. David Ridgway’s allegations, raised in his speech of 2011, and to assist you in your response I also ask that you research the speech made by the Hon. Angus Redford in July 1995 on your activities in your role as a union official where he stated:

In particular, I draw members’ attention to the fact that Mr Dan Moriarty and Mr Russell Wortley, on every occasion that their duty to their own self interest and their duty to anybody else for whom they are expected and trusted to act conflicted, have erred on the side of self-interest.

Sir, I have known you for many years and while I may not completely agree with the Hon. Mr Redford’s and the Hon. Ridgway’s assertions, over time I have formed my own view that you are a parasite and an embarrassment to the Labor movement. The final advice, given your record as a minister, would be that you should resign as President of the Legislative Council.

Finally, let there be no doubt that the Jay Weatherill minority government is united in that the Right’s dominance over policy and positions and a substantially weakened, almost to the point of irrelevant, progressive Left gives the Right almost free rein over the Government’s agenda. I commend the motion to you.

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